Frame



June 1939- G. MATTHEWS ET AL FRAME Filed Nov. 1, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A TTO RNEY.

June 27, 1939.

G. MATTHEWS ET AL FRAME 2 Sheets-Shed 2 Filed Nov. 1, 1957 ATTORNEY. I

Patented June 27,1939

UNiTED stars rarer ripe Bend, Ind., assignors to The Studebaker Corporation, South Bend, Ind.,a corporation of Delaware Application November 1, 1937, Serial No. 172,114

Claims. (Cl. 280-*-106) This invention relates to a chassis frame, and more particularly is directed to a cross-bracing structure for such a frame'for reinforcing the same and adding to the rigidity thereof.

It has heretofore been known to provide frames having X-shaped bracing portions between the side rails the bracing portions comprising oppositeiy bowed members secured at their ends to the side rails and joined centrally to form a cross peller shaft of the drive transmitting mechanism could extend.

The present invention is concerned primarily with the provision of a cross-bracing structure in which two diagonally extending bracing portions intersect at the centerof the frame and form mutual reinforcing portions for each other, there shaped members, having one end of each memberl secured to the side rails, and extendingt'oward.

each other with the adjacent ends overlapping for an appreciab'ie distance in the Zone adjacent the intersection with the other bracing means. In conjunction with this arrangement wealso provide for. reversing the relative position of the channel-shaped members forming the bracing,

means whereby the overlapping ends constitute in effect a box section throughout the zone of intersection.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of additional'rigidity in the central portion of the bracing structure by means of the deformation of the web portions of the overlapping abutting engagement channels into 7 planar throughout the intersecting zone. The welding or rivetingof these web portions together in such back-to-back reiationresults in a marked increase in the resistance to vertical deflection or twisting stresses imparted thereto from the side rails.

An additional object of the present invention is to increase the strength of the bracing structure adjacent the intersection of the two diagonal struts. This is accomplished by the relative relation of the channels forming each strut and by the web deformation throughout this overlapping portion. In addition, the moment of inertia, or re sistance to bending and twisting, is increased by increasing the vertical height of the channels through this portion of the structure. This also ;connection therebetween throughwhich the pro-.

has the advantage of allowing the cutting away of a portion of the web portions of the two diagonal struts to form an opening through which the propeller shaft may extend.

In forming the intersection between the two struts, we preferably cut out a circular opening in the web portion of one of the struts which has the top and bottom thereof notched out substantially to the flanges of the overlapping portions. The other strut, which is of a vertical height at this point substantially equal to the web height of the first strut, is passed or threaded therethrough, being positively located in these notches, so that the flanges of all portions at the point of intersection lie in superposed position, forming a quadruple thickness of metal atboth the top and bottom portions of the intersection. The second strut is of course similarly apertured through the web portionbut has no notches formed therein and this retains the hoop strength of the web formation. The abutting portions of the two struts may be welded, riveted or otherwise rigidly united around the points of intersection.

A still further advantage of the present construction resides in the telescoping relation of the overlapping ends of the channel members forming each strut. V

The struts are thereby made continuous in length with portions of greatly increased rigidity and strength located where the greatest stresses occur. The arch effect produced by the increased height of these members through the zone of intersection also increases the strength of the bracing structure, and by reason of the cross connection between the two struts the stresses imposed thereon are equally distributed and no localized overstressingis produced.

Other objects and advantages of the present construction will be more apparent from the following detailed description which, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will disclose to those skilled in the art the particular construction and operation of a preferred form of the present invention.

In the drawings: V Fig. l is a plan view of an automobile frame embodying my invention; 7 Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view looking from the side and showing that portion of the frame immediately associated w th the X-shaped brace thereof; a y

, Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view looking in the direction of the arrow 3 of Fig.1 showing further details of the X-shaped brace;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 5 showing the manner in which the X-shaped brace is formed;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the X-shaped brace taken looking in the direction of the arrow 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 4 showing the manner in which the adjacent ends of the diagonally positioned brace members are joined together; and

Fig. '7 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 'I-I of Fig. 4.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, we have shown in Fig. l a chassis frame comprising the side rails Ill and I I which are preferably of channel shape and which are joined together at their forward ends by the cross member I2, which may be secured to the rails in any suitable manner. At.

the rear end of the rails I6 and I I cross members I3 and HI are provided, which may be welded, riveted or otherwise suitably secured between the rails.

The cross-bracing structure which forms the essence of the present invention is disposed in the central portion of the frame and comprises channel shaped members I5, I6, I! and I8 which extend diagonally between the side rails I and II. The two channel members I and I8 constitute one diagonal strut or brace and it will be noted that these members are so disposed that the flanges on the member I5 extend in a direction opposite to the direction of the flanges on the member I8. It will also be noted that the opposite ends of the members I5 and I8 are suitably secured within the channel portions of the side rails Ill and I I as indicated at 2!! and 22.

The adjacent ends of the members I5 and I8 are disposed in overlapping relation with the flanges of the member I8 telescoping within the flanges of the member I5. The overlapping of these ends is such that both of the members I5 and I8 extend for an appreciable distance on each side of the zone of intersection indicated at A.

In a similar manner the channel members I6 and N form the opposite diagonal strut or bracing means and are also positioned in such relationship that the flanges thereof extend in opposite directions. The member I! has one end secured within the channel portion of the rail II as indicated at 23 while the member I6 has its opposite end secured within the flanges of the side rail ID as indicated at 24. The adjacent ends of the members I6 and I! are disposed in overlapping relation, the flanges of the member I6 telescoping within the flanges of the member'I'I. As noted in connection with the member I5 and I8, this overlapping relation extends for an appreciable distance on opposite sides on the zone of intersection A.

Preferably additional reinforcing means is provided for securing the members I5 and I! to the frame, in one form of the invention this reinforcing means taking the form of channel-shaped members 25 and 26 which embrace the members I5 and I! for an appreciable distance adjacent the points of connection 26 and 23, and are then extended along the respective side rails I0 and I I forwardly to the cross member I2. The members 25 and 26 may be secured to the channel members I5 and I! and to the side rails and cross member I2 in any suitable manner such as by welding, riveting or the like.

Considering now the details of the bracing structure as more particularly shown in Figs. 2 to '7, inclusive, it will be noted that each of the strut members has its web portion adjacent the zone of intersection pressed inwardly of the normal plane of the Web to form a planar portion extending in an offset plane to the end of the member. Thus, as seen in Fig. 4, it will be noted that the channel member I5 has its web portion pressed inwardly, as indicated at 28, from a point adjacent the outer end of the channel member I8 through the zone of intersection to its opposite end. Similarly, the channel member IB has its web portion pressed inwardly as indicated at 29, this portion lying in back-to-back relation to the web portion 28 of the channel I5 throughout the overlapping extent of the two members I5 and I8.

The opposite diagonal strut member comprising the channels I6 and I! is formed in a similar manner, the channel I6 having its web portion pressed inwardly as indicated at 36 to lie in backto-back relation to the web portion 32 of the channel I'l throughout the longitudinal extent of the overlapping engagement of the ends of these members. This forms in effect a section substantially as shown in Fig. 6 and produces a substantial increase in the rigidity and strength of the diagonal strut members throughout the intersecting zone. The overlapping of the ends of the respective channel members provides a substantially boxlike section which is increased in rigidity against vertical or lateral deflection by reason of the abutting web engagement provided by' the pressed-in portions 28, 29, 3|] and 32 of the respective channel members. This also eliminates the center piece heretofore required, and makes each of the struts an unbroken stress member from one side of the frame to the other, thereby making it much more rigid and lighter. Thus throughout the zone of intersection the I- beam section, such as shown in Fig. 6, is provided and the abutting surfaces of the web portions of the members are preferably rigidly secured together as by riveting or spotwelding.

It is also desirable, although not essential, to spotweld the overlapping flanges of the channel members such as the flanges 33 of the channel member IT to the flanges 34 of the channel member I6, thus producing a structure of continuous length having adequate reinforcing portions throughout the zone of intersection and which is possessed of greatly increased rigidity due to the mutual reinforcement of the overlapping ends.

It will be noted that the vertical height of the members I5, I6, I I and I8 is increased adjacent the zone of intersection thereby materially increasing the moment of inertia and section modulus of these members at this point and providing an arched eifect which adds considerable stiffness and strength to the structure against the possible vertical deflection. It will be noted that the increase in height of the members I6 and I! is greater than the increase in height of the members I5 and I8 through this section whereby the diagonal strut constituting the channel members I5 and I8 can be threaded through the diagonal strut constituting the members I6 and H.

In order to provide an opening whereby the propeller shaft may be extended through the cross braced portion of the frame we preferably form circular openings in the web portions of the two diagonal strut members. The opening in the diagonal strut comprising the members I5 and I8 is of a diameter such that an appreciable portion of the offset web section is cut away but" a channel-shaped section is provided ad J'acent the top and bottom of the opening which retains the hoop strength of the section and prevents materially weakening of the same. This opening isindicated at 35 inFigs. 2 and 3 and the channel-shaped section'is apparent in' Figs. 2 and 3, being'indicated by the reference numeral A similar opening is'formed in the overlapping portions of the structure comprising the channel members l6 and I1 and this opening is indicated at 38in Figs. 2 and 3; however, in order to pass the diagonal strut comprising members I and [8 through the larger strut it is necessary to form notches at the top and bottom of the opening 38, which notches are indicated at 40 and 42 respectively. The metal that is cut out at this point is adjacent the neutral axis, and therefore has little effect upon the strength of the section, which is retained due to the fact that the strut comprising members i5 and It extends through these notched portions and the abutting surfaces may be weld-' ed or otherwise suitably secured together to form in effect a unitary structure, and the stress lines are continuous through this section, thereby eliminating localized stresses and deflection at this point. This design thus forms a cross-bracing structure in which no part is subject to direct torsion.

By reason of this construction it will be apparent that at the point of intersection between the struts the flanges of all of the channel members i5, 56, H and iii are in superposed position thereby providing a quadruple thickness of metal at the top and bottom of this intersection and also of one of the struts are welded to the channel shaped section abutting against the other strut a substantially unitary rigid cross-bracing section 7 is provided which has such stiffness that it is not distorted either vertically or laterally under the stresses incident to frames of this type.

It will thus be apparent that we have provided a frame construction having cross-bracing struts which is relatively light in weight, requires. no additional members outside of the diagonal struts themselves and yet is so formed as to produce maximum rigidity and strength aigainst deflection or distortion, and'eliminate' any torsion' stresses in the cross frame portion. In addition, the particular manner in which the two diagonal struts are interlaced at the point of intersection therebetween insures maximum section modulus and moment of inertia with no less of rigidity at this point and also allows the cutting away of the web portions of the struts adjacent the neutral axis so as to provide an opening through which the propeller shaft may be extended without any appreciable loss of strength.

We are aware that various changes in the details of construction may be made without, however, departing from the underlying purpose of the present invention and We therefore do not intend to be limited except as defined by the scope bers having their adjacent ends overlapping throughout the zone of intersection, the overlapping portions forming a box-like section.

2. A frame'comprisinga pair of side rails, a cross-bracing structure therefor comprising intersecting diagonal struts-- between said rails, said struts each comprising apair of channel members having the adjacent ends thereof overlapping through the zone of intersection and in opposed relation, the channel members having the portions thereof lying in the zone of intersection of increased depth and cross-sectional area to increase the section modulus of said struts in said zone.

3. A frame comprising a pair of side rails, a cross-bracing structure therefor comprising intersecting diagonal struts extending from one side rail to the other, each of said struts comprising a pair of channel members having their flanges extending in opposite directions and rigidly joined together through the zone of intersection with the otherstrut, the opposing web portions of the members of each strut being bent inwardly into engagement through the zone of intersection.

l. A frame comprising a pair of siderails, a cross-bracing structure therefor comprising diagonal struts extending from one side rail to the other and intersecting between said rails, each of said struts comprising a pair of channel members having the adjacent ends thereof overlapping for an appreciable distance throughout the zone of intersection,'said channel members of each strut being disposed in opposed relation whereby the overlapping portions thereof form a sub-- stantially enclosed section. 1

5. The frame of claim 4 further characterized in that said channel members throughout the overlapping portions thereof have their webs pressed inwardly in substantially back-tmback abutment.

6. A frame comprising a pair of side rails, a cross-bracing structure therefor comprising diagonal struts extending from one side rail to the other and intersecting between said rails, each o-fsaid struts comprising a pair of channel members disposed in opposed relation having the adjacent ends thereof overlapping for an appreciab-le distance throughout the zone of intersection with the web portions of the adjacent ends offset inwardly into abutment to formsubstantially I-beam sections throughout the overlapping portions.

7. The frame of claim 6 further characterized in that the depth of the channel members of each strut is increased throughout the overlap ping portions thereof with the greatest depth being substantially at the center of the overlapping po-rtions.

8. A cross-bracing structure for a chassis frame comprising a pair of intersecting struts, each of said struts comprising a pair of longitudinally alined rigid channel members in opposed relation having overlapping ends joined together for an appreciable distance on both sides of the point of intersection, said channel members being of increased depth through the overlapping portion.

9. A cross-bracing structure for a chassis frame comprising a pair of intersecting struts, each of said struts comprising two channel members disposed in longitudinal relation with the adjacent ends overlapping for an appreciable distance throughout the zone of intersection, said channel members being disposed with their flanges extending in opposed relation and with the web portions thereof bent inwardly toward each other through the overlapping portion.

10. A cross-bracing structure for a chassis frame comprising a pair of intersecting struts,

each of said struts comprising two channel members disposed in longitudinal relation with their flanges extending in opposite directions, the adjacent ends of said members being of increased depth and overlapping for an appreciable distance on both sides of the point of intersection, one of said struts having an opening therein through which the other strut extends, the other of said struts having a cooperating opening forming: a passage through the intersection of said struts for a propeller shaft.

11. A cross-bracing structure for a chassis frame comprising a pair of intersecting struts, each of said struts comprising two channel members disposed in longitudinal relation with their flanges extending in opposite directions, the adjacent ends of said members being of increased depth and overlapping for an appreciable distance on both sides of the point of intersection, the webs of said members being ofiset inwardly into abutting engagement throughout the overlapping portions of said members.

12. A strut for a cross-bracing frame construction comprising a pair of channel members disposed in longitudinally alined relation with the webs thereof opposed and the adjacent ends telescoping together for an appreciable distance through the zone of intersection in the plane of said longitudinal alinement, said webs having inwardly offset portions forming vertically spaced box sections.

13. A strut of the class described comprising a pair of channel members disposed in longitudinal relattion with their flanges extending in opposite directions, the end of one member telescoping into the end of the other member for an appreciable distance and the webs of said members being offset inwardly into abutting engagement throughout said telescoping portion.

14. The strut of claim 13 characterized in the formation of an opening in the web portions of the telescoping portion thereof of a diameter smaller than the depth of said channel, and notches formed at the top and bottom of said opening extending substantially to the overlapping flange portions of said members.

15. The combination, with the strut of claim 13 having an opening in the web portions of the telescoping portion thereof of a diameter smaller than the depth of the channel with notches formed at the top and bottom of the opening extending substantially to the overlapping flange portions of said members, of a second strut formed in a similar manner and of a depth substantially equal to the distance between the flanges of said first strut, said second strut extending through said opening and said notches and secured to the defining edges of said notches, said second strut having an opening in the web portion thereof of a diameter substantially equal to that of the opening in said first strut and disposed in concentric alinement therewith.

16. A cross-bracing structure for a vehicle chassis frame comprising a pair of intersecting struts, each strut comprising a pair of channel members having the adjacent ends overlapping through the zone of intersection, the overlapping portions being so formed and arranged as to provide a substantially I-beam section through this zone.

17. A cross-bracing strut comprising a pair of channel members arranged in longitudinal relation with the adjacent ends overlapping for an appreciable distance, the midpart of the overlapping portion being increased in depth and decreasing in depth toward opposite ends of said portion, said members being in opposed relation with the Web portions thereof bent inwardly throughout the overlapping portion.

18. An X-shaped member comprising diagonal intersecting arms, each formed from a channel section, those arms which are arranged in longitudinal alinement being overlapped and arranged with their channels facing one another and nested to form a box formation member at the intersection, one box formation member having an opening and the other box formation member extending through said opening and secured to the edges thereof.

19. An X-shaped member comprising four diagonal arms of channel-shaped cross section and arranged in radiating relation, those arms which are arranged in longitudinal alinement being arranged with their channels facing and their flanges secured to each other and their webs spaced apart to form a box formation member having opposite web portions provided with registering openings, one of said members having its web portions notched to receive the box formation member of the other pair of arms.

20. An X-shaped member comprising four diagonal arms of channel-shaped cross section and arranged in radiating relation, those arms which are arranged in longitudinal alinement being overlapped and arranged with their channels facing one another and nested to form a box formation member, the webs of certain of the arms having portions offset toward one another and secured together, the webs of said alined arms being provided with openings, and one pair of alined arms having its box formation extending through the openings in the box formation of the other pair of alined arms.

GEORGE MATTHEWS. HAROLD E. CHURCHILL. 

